Latch.



D. W. TOWER.

LATCH. APPLICATION FILED APR. 3,1909.

Patented Ja1i.3,'1911.

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RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR D. W. TOWER.

\ LATGH. APPLICATION IILED APR. 3,1909.

980,458. Patented Jan. 3, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL W. TOWER, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GRAND RAPIDS BRASS COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

LATCH.

' '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL W. TOWER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapid s, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in latches.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved latch which is adapted for use on a right or left hand opening door without the necessity for making any changes in the latch, it only being necessary to reverse its position. Second, to provide an improved latch which is very simple and economical in structure.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the structure appearing in Figs. 1 and 2 removed from the door. Fig. 4: is. a vertical section taken on a line corresponding to line il of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail inverted plan of a modified construction, a single spring being employed instead of the double springs shown in Figs. 1 to 4:. Fig. 6 is a plan of a further modification of the latch, it being a non-reversible structure, the modification being merely in the arrangement of the spring. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of a further modification showing a reversible structure with springs arranged as in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an inverted plan of a further modification, it being a non-reversible structure, the modification being in the arrangement and attachment of the spring, a compression spring being here used, whereas in the structures before described, extension springs are illustrated. Fig. 9 is an inverted plan view of a still further modification in the matter of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 3, 1909.

' appearance.

Patented Jan. 3, 1911. Serial No. 487,698.

arrangement of the springs, the structure illustrated being the same as that of Fig. 8, except that it is a reversible structure. Fig. 10 is an inverted plan of a further modification in the arrangement of the springs. Fig. 11 is a detail section showing the manner of isitriking the lugs 21 up from the latch plate ange.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a door and 2 a door casing, the latch being shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in its operative relation. The latch plate 3 is provided with an inwardly-projecting flange 4 at its edges. The latch plate and its flange are preferably formed up of an integral sheet metal stamping and constitute the casing of the latch. On one side the flange is provided with a slot 5, the inner edge of the slot being located in substantially the same plane as the inner edge of the latch plate. The latch bolt 6 is arranged through the slot so that the edges of the slot serve to support the latch bolt and the ends of the slot serve as stops therefor.

The latch plate is provided with suitable holes 8 to receive the screws 9, by which it is attached. The latch bolt 6 is secured to the inner end of the knob or finger piece, as clearly appears from the drawing, the knob being journaled in the latch plate, thus serving as a pivot for the bolt. The finger piece or knob is preferably made up of sheet metal and comprises a cylindrical barrel portion 10 flared outwardly at its outer end 11, on which the end-piece 12 is secured by turning or seaming the edges of the end portion 12 over the edges of the flange 11, as clearly appears from Fig. 4. This forms a neat finish for the knob and is very convenient to grasp.

The barrel portion of the knob is shouldered at 13 to form a bearing 11 which is arranged in the bearing opening 15 in the latch plate. The portion of the barrel, below the latch plate is reduced to form a stud 16 which is arranged through the opening in the bolt and secured by the out-turned flange 17. This forms a very simple construction, which is, at the same time, entirely effective for the purpose and attractive in to be reversible, so that the latch bolt is held centrally in position, as is illustrated in Figs. 3, 11, 13 and 14, a single spring, however, being arranged to accomplish the purpose in Fig. 5. i

The structure illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 is what I designate as non reversible,

that is, the latch bolt can swing in but one direction from its normal position. By this arrangement of the parts, I secure a structure which is very simple and economical, and is, at the same time, very effective and compact and attractive in appearance.

In the modified structure shown in Fig. 5, a single spring is arranged to accomplish the function of two springs, it being so connected to the latch bolt relative to the pivot of the bolt that it returns it to its central or normal position.

In the modified structure of Fig. 6, the spring is secured to the latch bolt in front of the bolt pivot. The modification of Fig. 7 has the same arrangement of springs ap plied to a reversible structure.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, compression springs are used instead. of expansion springs, the springengaging lugs 21 on the casing flange and the lugs 22 on the latch bolt being adapted to receive the ends of the springs, as clearly appears from the drawing. The structure of Fig. 9 is substantially that of Fig. 8, modified to form a reversible latch. The modified structure of Fig. 10 is substantially that of Fig. 9, the position of the parts being reversed, the lugs on the bolt facing forwardly rather than rearwardly. These lugs are so arranged that they support the spring effectively.

I have illustrated these various modifications to show the general adaptability of my improvements. Other modifications will undoubtedly be suggested by these illustrations to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with the casing comprising a latch plate having an inwardlyflange;-a pair of oppositely-disposed perforated spring-attaching lugs on said latch bolt; and coiled springs engaged with said spring-attaching lugs on said flange and latch bolt whereby said bolt is held uniformly in a central position and is adapted to be swung in either direction from such position.

2. A latch comprising a plate having a marginal flange provided with a recess, a hollow stamped sheet metal knob having a hollow sheet metal member rotative in the plate and provided with a non-circular inner end clenched on the inner side of the bolt and a bolt projecting through the recess and movable therein and also having a non-circular opening to receive the non-circular end of the knob.

3. The combination with the casing comprising a latch plate having a bearing opening therein; a latch bolt; a finger piece and handle for said latch bolt comprising a cylindrical barrel portion formed of sheet metal, said barrel being shouldered at its lower end to form a bearing portion which is arranged in said bearin opening in said latch plate, the portion below said bearing portion being arranged through and clenched on the inner side of said bolt, a portion of said barrel arranged through said bolt being non-circular, said bolt having a non-circular opening to receive the same whereby said finger piece is secured to said bolt and pivotally supported in said latch plate. 7

4c. The combination with the casing comprising a latch plate having an inwardlyprojecting flange at its edges, said flange having a slot therein at one side; a latch bolt arranged through said slot in said flange, the ends of which serve as stops therefor to limit its outward swing in both directions; a finger piece to which said latch bolt is secured, oivotally mounted on said plate; and coiled springs secured to said flange and latch bolt, said springs being attached to said flange on opposite sides of its pivot whereby said latch bolt is held yieldingly in a central position in said slot.

5. The combination with the casing comprising a latch plate formed of sheet metal stamping and having inwardly-projecting spring-attaching lugs formed by turning 1nwardly portions of said flange; a latch bolt flange at its edges, said flange having 111-.

tegrally formed spring-attaching lugs thereon formed by punching inwardly portions my hand and seal in the presence of two thereof; a latch bolt formed of sheetf metai Witnesses. stampin and havin an inte rally orme spring d ttaching lug thereong and a coiled DANIEL TOWER 5 spring engaged With said spring-attaching Witnesses:

lugs on said flange and latch bolt. CATHERINE M. MCCARTHY,

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set H. M. BIRTELSON. 

